(From left) Bob De Vivo, Leigh Barrett, Brendan McNab, Liz Hayes, David Krinitt, and Cheryl McMahon in a scene from the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of ADDING MACHINE: A MUSICAL, running March 12 thru April 10 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street in Boston’s South End. Tix/Info: 617-933-8600 or www.SpeakEasyStage.com. Photo: Mark L. Saperstein.
Dark with humor, Adding Machine: A Musical is a musical adaptation of Elmer Rice’s 1923 play. The story follows Mr. Zero, a human calculator by trade who, after 25 years to the day, loses his job and is replaced by a mechanical adding machine. He murders his boss ( this isn’t necessarily a show for the kids), ends up on death row, and takes a journey through the afterlife accompanied by an interesting and pleasing score under the musical direction of Steven Bergman, and an incredibly talented cast.
An intermission-less, 90-minute production with some 1920’s-era strong language, Adding Machine: A Musical was created by co-librettist Jason Loweth, and Composer and co-librettist Joshua Schmidt. This production was creatively directed by Paul Melone.
Boston favorites Brendan McNab stars, supported by Amelia Broome (Mrs. Zero), Leigh Barrett (Mrs. One/Mae), John Bambery (Shrdlu), Bob De Vivo (Mr. One), Liz Hayes (Daisy Dorothea Devore), David Krinitt (Mr. Two), Sean McGuirk (The Boss/Fixer/Charles) and Cheryl McMahon (Mrs. Two/Betty/Matron).
The entire cast was excellent, not a weak link amongst them. Additionally, the whole team at SpeakEasy deserves a huge round of applause. Susan Zeeman Rogers’s set paired with Jeff Adelberg’s lighting design is beautiful. The Robert’s Studio Theatre at the B.C.A. is an intimate place, and they certainly took advantage of every nook and cranny, and used some fantastic scenic and lighting elements that really brought a lot to the show.
Would I see it again? Absolutely.
SpeakEasy Stage Company’s production of Adding Machine: A Musical, is running now through April 10 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts. For more information, visit: SpeakEasyStage.com, or call 617-933-8600.
- Adam Nickerson
